Yeah yeah… otherwise known as, hockey news. And this post isn’t even for the average Flyers/Rangers/Wings obsessive. What can I say? The minor leagues and major junior are my indie rock.

First up, Brad Treliving goes to The Show as Assistant General Manager of Wayne Gretzky’s team (and he doesn’t even have to sell his house). The now-former Central Hockey League president is one of four or five people directly responsible for the existence of the Austin Ice Bats, and thus for many, many hours of my life. Imagine if – oh… let’s say the President of 12XU – moved to a position at a major label after 11 years. Except I can’t think of any major labels with the same prestige, stability and track record of success as the great Winnipeg Jets Phoenix Coyotes organization. (Alternately, just imagine Slim Moon).

At last, I can dig out my #33 Flyers jersey t-shirt from the year 2000 – streaky goaltender Brian Boucher rejoins the organ-eye-zation, albeit at the AHL level. Time sure does fly — of the four Philly players who were especially memorable during that aborted Stanley Cup run, two (Keith Primeau, above, and Eric Lindros) are retired or close to it, and two (Andy Delmore and Boucher) just didn’t last.

Cory Clouston was the only one of his three brothers who didn’t spend the ’90s playing in the minors. Now he’s in the AHL. Meanwhile, Shaun, who coached the San Angelo Outlaws in their heyday, won the WHL title this year as an assistant and will probably be a head coach again before the month is out – though I’m guessing not in Portland. In other WHL news, the least popular Ice Bats All-Star of all-time makes the transition into coaching, as does Rocky Thompson, brother of former Ice Bat Jeremy.

(The hockey fighter checks his make-up)

And finally, a little insight into how the New York Yankees of the CHL signs players :

Stewart will talk to a variety of sources ” mostly coaches and players from his 23 total seasons of coaching ” to find players he thinks might be agood fit. Those candidates get a phone call, and if Stewart is impressed after a first interview, they come to Colorado, where the real sell is often made. “The next step is for me to fly him in, and he™ll spend two nights and three days here, Stewart said. œWe have a chance to show him everything.Part of selling a player on the franchise is selling the area, since any player will spend most of his time off the rink and in the community.

œIf we didn™t come on a visit, we probably wouldn™t have come here, said defenseman Brad Williamson, who has been with the team for all four seasons. œThem having us out for a visit let us see how well things were run here.A visit also will let any accompanying family members ” often a wife or girlfriend ” see if the community is a good fit.

Thankfully, the Loveland-Fort Collins area makes for a good pitch, Stewart said, adding that the attractive setting is an edge the Eagles have over many other markets.œThey feel safe, and you can™t put a price on that, Stewart said. œSo, when I bring in a young couple, she sees how beautiful the places are, and says, ˜Ok, when you™re out on a 10-day, 14-day road trip, I feel safe.™

Think they give the same spiel in Laredo? You gotta understand, there may not be another team in this league that routinely flies potential players in, either because they are financially unable or financially unwilling. All the Eagles need now is a booster organization like the Texas Sweethearts or the Texas Angels (even if they aren’t what they used to be)